All the process was done in the presence of General Observer (GO), North, Dr. Pratibha Singh, IAS and representative of all the Political Party. Entire randomization process was carried out through EVM Management System (EMS) software.

All the Control Unit (CU), Ballot Unit (BU) and VVPAT were randomized digitally and have been allocated as per Polling Station wise within same constituency. Remaining CUs, BUs and VVPATs which were not allocated to Polling Station are kept as reserved for the same constituency.

List of the allocated CU, BU and VVPAT and Reserved Assembly Constituency-wise are as under:

It is pertinent to mention here that the first randomization was conducted on March 18, 2019. Through which CU, BU and VVPAT were allocated Assembly Constituency wise.

A set of second randomization sheet were handed over to the representative of all the Political Parties. RO informed to the representative that the commissioning of EVM will be done on 2nd and 3rd of April at Strong Room, DAC.

Further, the RO has informed that EVM commissioning will be held on 2nd and 3rd April at 11 AM at new strong Room at District Administrative Centre, Mangan in the presence of General Observer and all the political party representatives. At the same time he appealed to the political parties to send their representatives to witness the process of EVM commissioning.

Namchi, 30 Mar (IPR): As per the guidelines of ECI, the second randomization of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) was held at the conference hall of DAC Namchi today.

The RO informed the attendees about the procedure of randomization and added that EVMs are being allocated according to the eight constituencies falling under South district. He also informed that randomization was carried out by EVM management system developed by Election Commission of India.

Similarly, for randomization of Sangha, National Informatics Centre (NIC) has designed the software. The RO elucidated the purpose of randomization of EVMs and VVPATs is to allocate EVMs and VVPATs randomly to 160 Polling Stations for South District.

After randomization, the certified final list of EVM with control unit, ballot unit and VVPAT numbers assigned to each polling station’s was handed over to all the political parties and candidates who were present today.

A total number of 175 EVMs were allocated to 160 polling stations under 8 Assembly Constituencies including Sangha for South district. EVMs for Assembly segments for parliamentary constituencies was randomized and assigned by the RO (East) for Parliamentary Constituency.

The DEO/RO, Shri Yadav, explained about the roles and responsibilities of the Presiding Officers and Polling Officers through power point presentation. He stated that the Presiding Officer must ensure that the polling team should work in tandem with the guidelines of Election Commission of India (ECI) as to orient an error free election process.

Talking on the mock poll certification during poll day he asked to the Polling team to conduct mock poll at 6 AM, so that the mock poll would be done at stipulated time. He also informed that the casting of vote will start at 7 AM and stop at 5 PM.

Further, the RO explained in detail about filing of different forms related to poll day and sealing of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM). The last training of Polling and Presiding Officers will be held on 4th of April.

During the meeting, representatives of all the political parties were informed about various aspects of election process including the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).

The GO in his address to the trainees instructed them to keep the expenditure up-to-date and make sure that the candidate doesn’t exceed their election expenses as per the norms of ECI. For the easement of accounting team, he assured them of giving all possible assistance to them so as there will be no errors.

The DC-cum-RO (West), Shri Karma R. Bonpo, expressed his views about the training stating it to be the most important exercise for proper and error free election process, which he feels that it can be achieved through extensively adhering the ECI guidelines. Further, he instructed all to follow MCC Guidelines and not to violate under any circumstances. He even informed about all mandatory arrangements which has been made for the smooth, free and fair elections.

The SP, West asked all the political parties to get fully aware of the guidelines of MCC as well as Handbook provided to them. He suggested that the political parties need to obtain any election related permissions prior to refrain from any last minute hassles. He also informed about all the rates of various election related materials and services which is fixed by the commission and is mandatory to be followed. While addressing to the Account Team he told them to be well acquainted with VSTs (Video Surveillance Team) and to work in co-operation.

The SDM (HQ) informed about the First Level help from the respective AEO of their designated station and also informs about complains that can be re-addressed at the same. At last he wished all luck and expressed his desire of Peaceful election process.

CPAO, Shri. K B Subba, also instructed on the various filling of forms and proper guidelines on working ethics and encouraged to clear their doubts via telecommunication.

Gangtok, 29 Mar (IPR): A meeting with the contesting candidates and representatives of political parties with the General Observers of Assembly Constituencies and Parliamentary Constituencies was held today at the Conference Hall of District Administration Centre in Sichey.

During the meeting, Assistant Collector, Mr. Rohan Agawane, gave a Power Point presentation on Monitoring of Election Expenditure provisions like Monitoring of Public meetings and rallies, Monitoring of media-print/ electronic/ Social, Travel expenses of star campaigners, Monitoring of use of vehicles, account mismatch and cash withdrawal from banks etc.

The SDM (Rangpo), Mr. P.K. Rai, in his PPT presentation briefed the contesting candidates and representatives of political parties about the guidelines of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and the “Dos and Don’ts” of MCC so as to ensure free and fair elections.

The SP(East), Mr. Hem Raj Rai, informed the gathering about the arrangements made by East District police for the upcoming General Elections 2019. He said that 3 battalion of SSB and 2 battalion of SAP has been deputed in various places of East District. He further stated that the flag marches are being done and check point has been kept so that the contesting candidates can campaign safely and freely.

For vehicle rally, foot rally and Mike permission the candidates should take permission from the office of DC East 2 to 7 days before the event, informed Mr. Rai. He urged the candidates to cooperate with the police for free and fair election.

The DEO, Mr. Kapil Meena, informed the political parties that there can be no campaigning in the last 48 hours before polling. He also talked about the various issues like issuance of permission for public meetings, hoardings and also talked about flag size in election campaign vehicles so that there is no violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He also requested the various political parties to abide by the campaigning time so that there is proper maintenance of law and order.

Mr. Meena also informed them about the various field teams who are already discharging their duties round the clock and said that any complaints/queries can be put forward to them or they can always contact the District Control Room which is operational 24/7 at 03592-284026.

In concusion, the DEO informed everyone present about the security arrangements of the Strong Room at Biraspati Parsai Senior Secondary Room, Ranipool and apprised them about the Commissioning of EVMs and VVPATs scheduled on 2nd April 2019 and about the dispatch of polling materials which will be done on 10th April 2019.

The General Observer for Assembly Constituency (Sr.No 23 to 28), Mr. B. Ram Shastri, IAS, spoke about the legal provision of Model Code of Conduct and Expenditure Monitoring.

General Observer for Assembly Constituency (Sr. No 17 to 22), Ms. Mousumi Chattaraj Chaudhuri, IAS, said that she would be visiting almost all the polling booths under her Constituency to check the smooth functioning of Election process.

General Observer for Parliamentary Constituency (East and West), Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, IAS, informed about the legal provision of polling agents. He asked the candidates to train their polling agents properly about the election process.

General Observer for Parliamentary Constituency (North and South), Mr. Ameya Abhyankar, IAS, urged the candidates to refrain from the violation of MCC and cooperate them for the conduct of free and fair election.

The Police Observer for the entire State, Mr. Naveen Arora, IPS, asked the candidates present to maintain peaceful law and order. The Observers told the candidates that they were free to meet them at Circuit House where they are residing and asked the candidates to contact them in their local numbers for any election related queries.

Earlier, ADC( East), Mr. Bharani Kumar placed the welcome address.

Later in the evening, all General Observers and Police Observer reviewed the poll preparedness in a meeting with all the Nodal Officers of major election activities of east district. All Nodal Officers briefed the Observers about the activities undertaken till now and those planned till the polling days.

Namchi, 29 Mar (IPR): A meeting with regards to the expenditure of the contesting candidates was held at the conference hall at DAC in Namchi today. The meeting was chaired by Returning Officer (South), Mr. Ragul K., in the presence of General Observer, Mr. Shrish Chandra Verma, Expenditure Observers, Mr. B.G. Krishnan and Mr. Inder Solanki, Assistant Returning Officer (ARO), Mr. Satyen K. Pradhan, and nodal officer for expenditure monitoring, Mr. Sunil Sharma.

It may be mentioned here, Mr. B.G. Krishnan will be looking over four assembly constituencies which are 09 Barfung, 10 Poklok-Kamrang, 11 Namchi-Singhithang and 12 Melli constituencies. Similarly, Mr. Inder Solanki will be in charge of four constituencies namely 13 Namthang – Rateypani, 14 Temi-Namphing, 15 Rangang-Yangang and 16 Tumin-Lingi constituencies.

During the course of the meeting, nodal officer for expenditure monitoring, Mr. Sunil, informed that the contesting candidates are required to maintain day to day accounts in order for better transparency of their spendings on the election campaign. He also explained in brief the dos and don’ts of election expenditure and informed that the expenditure observers will supervise and monitor the expenses incurred by the contesting candidates along with the various political parties.

He further updated that adequate number of flying squads, static surveillance team, video surveillance and viewing team are functional in the field to monitor the expenditure carried by the candidates and the political parties.

Namchi, 29 Mar (IPR): A detailed preparedness meeting with the candidates and their election representatives was held at the conference hall of DAC in Namchi today. The meeting was chaired by Returning Officer (South), Mr. Ragul K., in presence of General Observer, Mr. Shrish Chandra Verma, alongside various election officials.

Speaking during the meeting, the RO informed that all the necessary arrangements and activities for the conduct of General Elections 2019 are being carried out by the District Administration. He informed that all the polling parties for conduct of election have been appointed and necessary training has been imparted to presiding and polling officers.

Mr. Ragul updated that the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPATs) to be used during the upcoming elections are kept in the strong room at Government Senior Secondary School Namchi. These machines have been kept according to each Assembly constituency, Assembly segment of Parliamentary constituency including Sangha and for reserve EVMs as well. He brought to notice that 24×7 adequate security measures has been made for the Strong Room where the machines are kept and is guarded by armed forces and fire emergency vehicles is also stationed at the Strong Room premises to avoid any untoward incidents.

Additionally, CCTV cameras have been installed at different locations to monitor the movements. The RO emphasized that the second round of randomization will be done on 30th March and commissioning of the machines starts from 1st April onwards.

He also notified the gathering that according to Section 126 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, prohibits displaying any election matter by mean, of television or similar apparatus, during the period of 48 hours before the hour fixed for conclusion of poll in a constituency and violation of the aforesaid provisions is punishable by law.

The RO spelt-out that any form of advertisement carried by the candidates or the political parties should be certified by Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and that they should abide the rules of ECI.

He urged the contesting candidates to be familiar with all the instructions and guidelines of ECI to guarantee clarity and also urged one and all to ensure fair, ethical and transparent election process in the South district.

Mangan, 29 Mar (IPR): District Election Officer (DEO) cum Returning Officer (RO), North, Shri Raj Yadav, IAS, chaired a meeting with all the contesting candidates and representatives of all the political parties of North district today here at the chamber of District Magistrate, North.

During the meeting, representatives of all the political parties were informed about various aspects of election process including the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) awareness, Paid News, Electronic and Social Media or Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC) and other allied issues related to the election campaigning.

Speaking to the representatives, GO, Dr. Singh, said that since Model Code of Conduct has come into force and every individual must be adhered to the guidelines of MCC with all spirit. All the political parties must ensure that the MCC should not be violated in any manner to ensure peace and fair conduct of election, she said.

Mentioning about the publication and display of the election related posters, banners and pamphlets appealing candidates must have the name of printers and publishers, if found violating the guidelines shall be punished, she informed.

She said that the permission of vehicles for election rally must be obtained from the competent authority and an original copy of permission should be adhes in the front mirror of vehicle as to rule out the use of duplicate permission. The Government properties or civic amenities must not be harmed or damaged during the course of election campaign, she insisted.

Talking on worry list and vulnerability mapping, she asked the representatives to inform to the concerned authority about any critical situations and raising vulnerability of any constituency or polling station.

The GO urged all the political representatives to extend their support for inclusive vote cast and awareness on using EVM and to ensure the proper distribution of voter slips to general public by Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

The DEO/RO, Shri Raj Yadav, informed that all the political candidates must maintain register for account of expenditure properly. They have been told to duly incur the expenditure of print, electronic and social media on their expenditure account. He informed the representatives about Form 26 Affidavit and stated that Form 26 of candidate may be checked on ECI website or DAC notice board.

Speaking on mock poll certification during poll day, he asked to the political agents to reach the Polling Station at 6 AM, so that the mock poll would be done at stipulated time. He also informed that the casting of vote will start at 7 AM and stop at 5 PM.

Addressing Election Agent, the RO informed that the specimen of the contesting candidates should reach to the concern authority at time, so that the polling agents could be appointed. The second randomization of EVM/VVPAT for Parliamentary Constituency will be held on April 2 and on April 3 randomization of Assembly Constituencies will be done. In this context he urged to the representatives to ensure attendance of respective parties positively.

During the meeting, Superintendent of Police, North, asked all the political parties to adhere to the guidelines of MCC for free and fair election and suggested to the political parties to obtain any election related permissions prior a day of any event to be held.

At the outset of the meeting, the representatives of the political parties were handed over Identification card of the contesting candidates, Accounts of Monitoring Registers, Handbook of Election, EVM/VVPAT presentation book, MCC Manuel, Phone directory, Notice of Contesting Candidates, Election Agent Form, Rate chart related to election and a copy of CEO’s minutes of meeting.

Namchi, 29 Mar (IPR): The second randomization of polling personnel for South district was held at the conference hall at DAC in Namchi today. Present during the randomization was Returning Officer (South), Mr. Ragul K., General Observer, Mr. Shrish Chandra Verma, alongside Assistant Returning Officer, Mr. Satyen Kr. Pradhan, SDM (HQ), Mr. Hemant Rai, and contesting candidates, representatives of various political parties.

Addressing the gathering, RO, Mr. Ragul K., spoke in detail about the second randomization of polling personnel. The process of randomization has been done through a software prepared by NIC, Sikkim. The RO also updated that in this general election South district will have 10 women polling stations.

It may be mentioned here, there are a total of 160 polling stations located in the South district out of which 10 polling stations will be handled by women polling teams. These women polling stations are located namely at CCCT, Chisopani Room No II, Nandugoan Senior Secondary School Room No II, Salghari Secondary School Room No II, Assangthang Secondary School Room No II, Namchi Senior Secondary School Room No I and III, Namchi Old Primary School Room No I, Namchi New Secondary School Room No II, JHMIH Boomtar Room No II, Namthang Senior Secondary School Room No I.

During the second randomization process, polling teams were formed with one presiding officer and five polling officers. The Assembly Constituency in which they will be posted on poll day is also done randomly. The final round of training to polling personnel will be done in groups of teams formed during this second randomization process.

The third randomization of polling personnel will be done one day before the poll day to assign polling stations to the various teams formed now.